chirk

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to make a short, sharp chirping, squeaking, or creaking sound

   The dry hinge began to chirk whenever the door moved.

2. 2
   noun

   a short, sharp chirping or squeaking sound

   A repeated chirk came from the spoon scraping around the basin.

3. 3
   verb

   to cheer or become more cheerful, especially in the phrase chirk up

   A warm meal helped to chirk the exhausted travelers up.

From Middle English chirken or charken and Old English cearcian ("to creak or chatter"), an expressive Germanic word related to crack. The American chirk up ("cheer up") may reflect the lively sound associated with chirping.

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